Measuring vessel



Oct. 14, 1952 T. D. D! ADDARIO 2,613,537

- MEASURING VESSEL Filed Dec. 22, 1948 rmma p D dQZTFF Patented Oct. 14,1952

, UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE MEASURING VESSEL Thomas D. Di Addario, Buffalo, N. Y. Application December 22, 1948, Serial No. 66,780

4. Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in measuring devices for the apportionment of liquid ingredients and particularly intended for use in the preparation of sauces, viands compounded according to specific recipes and mixed beverages. The improved measuring device may be either in the form of a measuring spoon or a measuring receptacle having a supporting pedestal.

The object of the invention is to provide a measuring device wherein liquid may be poured from a bottle in one or more charges according to determined units of measure, the units being of very small degree and the device providing for accuracy in the pouring of the liquid charge or charges and eliminating the liability of spilling, either in the pouring of the liquid into the measuring device or in the pouring Of the liquid from the measuring device into the other ingredients of the sauce, viand or beverage.

The device in either form is characterized (1) by a body provided with webs of less height than its vertical walls and which delimit a series of measuring chambers, these being arranged in such succession that liquid as poured into a chamber at the end of the serieswill, the pouring being continued, overflow into an adjoining chamber or successively into one or more of the remaining chambers without spilling over the edges of the body, and (2) by an outward flange circumscribing the body at its upper edge, providing stable support for the neck of the bottle from which the liquid is poured into the device, and facilitating the pouring of the liquid from the device without spilling. In the form wherein the 'measuring receptacle has a supporting pedestal the device is also characterized by a median horizontal wall which delimits two receptacles of different measuring capacity, the horizontal wall providing a common base for the receptacles, one of which has the characteristics above stated, and either receptacle being available as a pedestal when the use of the other receptacle is required.

In the accompanying drawing:

Figures 1, 2 and 3 are views illustrating the device in the form of a measuring spoon.

Figure 1 is a plan view.

Figure 2 is a longitudinal section on the line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a front elevation.

Figures 4, 5 and 6 are views illustrating the device in the form of a measuring receptacle having a supporting pedestal.

Figure 4 is a plan view.

Figure 5 is a longitudinal section on the line 55 of Figure 4.

Figure 6 is an end elevation.

Referring to Figures 1, 2 and 3:

In this form the device consists of a spoon body I and a handle 2, integral with the spoon body in the conventional relation. The spoon body comprises a base 3, preferably flat, an outer end wall 4, an inner end wall 5 and side Walls 6, the handle 2 projecting from the wall 5. The outer portion of the handle 2 is ofiset as at I to provide a flat terminal portion which is in a plane common to the plane of the base 3 whereby the spoon may be stably supported upon a kitchen table or the like.

The side walls 6 are connected by transverse webs B which are functionally partitions and provide a series of measuring chambers 9, the end chambers of the series being delimited by the end walls 4 and 5 and the adjacent webs. The webs 8 are of less depth than the end and side walls 4, 5 and 6 whereby clearances Ill, confined by the side walls, are provided above the webs, the clearances I ll providing for the overflow of the liquid successively from one chamber to another without spilling. Any desired number of chambers 9 may be thus provided and the chambers 9 may accord with any determined unit or units of measurement, the successive chambers being of equal capacity. In the drawings three webs '8 and four chambers '9 are shown and it is assumed that each chamber has a capacity of one-fourth of a teaspoon. It will, of course, be understood that the capacity of the spoon body may be varied; for example a spoon body having a capacity of two teaspoons or a tablespoon may be used.

Commencing in a plane coincident with the common plane of the upper edges of the webs 8 the vertical walls 4, 5 and 6 are formed with integrally connected upwardly and outwardly inclined lips which provide a continuous upwardly and outwardly inclined flange ll circumscribing the upper portion of the spoon body.

In use the spoon body is stably supported upon a kitchen table or the like and the bottle B from which the liquid ingredient is to be poured is positioned for pouring, that is to say, with the edge of its neck resting upon the part of the flange H which projects from the end wall 4. If but one of the chambers 9 is to be filled the pouring is stopped when the liquid level rises to the upper edge face of the adjacent web 8. If more than one of the chambers 9 are to be filled the pouring is continued, the liquid overflowing the web 8 adjacent the end wall 4 and similarly rising in the adjacent chamber 9. In like manner if a greater quantity of liquid be required the pouring is continued until the desired number of chambers have been filled, the liquid flowing successively from chamber to chamber until the desired amount of liquid, within the capacity of the spoon body, has been poured.

The liquid, when poured into the spoon body to the desired amount, is discharged into the other ingredients of the sauce, viand, or beverage, by tilting the spoon body laterally, the part of the flange H adjacent either side wall, according to the direction of the tilting, facilitating the discharge of the liquid from the spoon body without spilling.

Referring to Figures 4, 5 and 6:

In this form the device consists of end walls 4a, side Walls 6a and a median horizontal wall 30,. The wall 3a in combination with the walls 4a and 6a delimits, and provides a common base, for, two receptacles la and lb respectively. The receptacle la corresponds in all respects, structurally and functionally to the spoon body above described, that is to say, it includes the webs 8 which provide the chambers 9 and its vertical walls beyond the upper ends of the webs are formed to provide the circumscribing flange H. The vertical walls 4a and 6a afford a handle by which the device may be manipulated.

'In various instances it will be desired to pour at once a full teaspoon or more and in such cases the webs 8 and chambers 9 are not required. It is for this purpose that the receptacle lb is provided. This receptacle may have any desired capacity. In the drawings the capacity of one and one-half teaspoons is assumed, a full spoon being indicated by the mark l2 provided upon one of the inner walls l. T 1e vertical walls of the receptacle lb terminate in a circumscribing flange Ila which corresponds structurally and functionally to the flange I I above described.

If the use of the receptacle la be required, as assumed by Figures 5 and 6 of the drawing, the receptacle lb is used as a pedestal, its flange Ha resting upon the surface of a kitchen table or other support. If the use of the receptacle lb be required the device is inverted and the receptacle la is utilized as a pedestal, its flange l l resting upon a kitchen table or other support. In the use of the receptacle lb the liquidis poured to the desired level, a full teaspoon being indicated by the mark l2 and, if more than a teaspoon be required, the pouring is continued until the liquid has reached the desired level, the flange I la, similarly to the flange l l, facilitating the pouring of the liquid from the measuring receptacle into the sauce, viand or beverage.

I claim:

1. A measuring device for the apportionment of liquid ingredients consisting of a receptacle formed for stable support upon a table and provided with vertical end and side walls and with transverse webs to delimit a series of successive measuring chambers of equal capacity, the vertical walls at their upper ends being provided with outwardly and upwardly inclined integrally connected lips which extend from the webs and provide clearances for the overflow of liquid from one chamber to the succeeding chamber and also provide a circumscribing flange available for the support of the bottle from which the liquid is to be poured and further available to facilitate the pouring of the liquid from the receptacle.

2. A measuring device as set forth in claim 1 wherein the receptacle is in the form of a spoon body and the means for its stable support consist of the base of the spoon body and a handle projecting from one of the end walls and having a portion offset in a plane flush with the base.

3. A measuring device for the apportionment "of liquid ingredients consisting of vertical end and side walls and a median horizontal wall which delimits and forms a common base for two measuring receptacles, the vertical Walls providing a handle by which the device may be manipulated, one receptacle being provided with transverse webs to delimit a series of successive measuring chambers, the webs being of less depth than the adjacent portions of the vertical walls whereby overflow clearances are provided above them, either of the receptacles being available as a pedestal for the support of the device when the other receptacle is in use.

4. A measuring device as set forth in claim 3 wherein the vertical walls at their upper and lower ends are provided with outwardly inclined lips to constitute circumscribing flanges and either of the flanges is available for the support of the bottle from which liquid is to be poured and is also available to facilitate the pouring of the liquid from the receptacle.

THOMAS D. DI ADDARIO.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date D. 102,628 Dennis Jan. 5, 1937 153,352 Leitzell M July 21, 1874 837,506 Raney Dec. 4, 1906 898,701 Tate Sept. 15, 1908 2,389,530 Miner Nov. 20, 1945 

